by Callie Kanno
“As long as it is before next week, you are most welcome,” said Me’shan. “Next week we are leaving on a short expedition to the central lands. Normally, I would go by myself, but E’rian insisted on coming along with E’nes.”
Ravi and E’rian shared a smiling glance. They both knew that it took very little for E’rian to convince her doting husband to give her whatever she wished.
“Very well, I will be certain to visit again before you leave.”
The room was filled with happiness and contentment, but Adesina couldn’t share in any of it.
She could not rid her mind of the knowledge that her mother was mere weeks away from being captured by the Shimat, who would take her to the place where she would be held hostage until dying during childbirth.
Adesina’s birth.
***
In the vision of Ravi’s past, he was only slightly younger than his current age.
He roamed the Rashad grasslands with restless energy, occasionally breaking into a run. Sometimes he was accompanied by his sister, Rissa, or by Remah, but most of the time he preferred to be by himself.
Ruvim had left more than a year ago to seek out his Greater Purpose, and Ravi felt envious at the thought. It was an honor to be given such a calling by the Creator, and every Rashad privately hoped to be granted the opportunity.
Rajan reminded Ravi that there were many responsibilities that came with his role, but the young Rashad still felt useless. Even though Rajan was in his twilight years, he had plenty of energy and he fulfilled his calling to the smallest detail. Now that Ravi had finished the bulk of his formal training, there was little else to do but to gain experience.
He laid down on the dewy grass and stared up at the stars. He could hear them singing softly, and he hummed along with the familiar tune. He closed his eyes and relaxed his mind, doing his best to push away the feelings of dissatisfaction with his life.
As he did so, a sensation came over him that was completely alien to his young mind. Adesina recognized it as the foreboding that preceded a vyuhava. Instinct led Ravi to let go of his waking mind and to allow himself to cross over into another state of being.
The Dream came immediately.
Adesina witnessed the vision through her guardian’s eyes, and she felt a chill when she saw the dungeons of the Shimat fortress.
It was a scene she had witnessed before, years ago when she had first learned about the truth of her own birth. She saw E’rian’s huddled and emaciated form, her abdomen swollen with the arriving baby.
Adesina saw Signe and Breyen watching the birth with cold and calculating eyes, caring nothing for the life of the woman before them—only measuring the value of the child.
She watched as E’rian used the last of her life force to forge a bond between the infant and her father, ensuring that they would never cease to search for each other.
The past version of Ravi jerked awake with tears flowing from his eyes. Adesina could feel his pain and anguish as he finally knew the fate of his dear friend.
“E’rian,” he sobbed. “Oh, sweet E’rian!”
Adesina felt the depth of Ravi’s affection for her mother, and his sorrow became almost overwhelming for her as an observer. Adesina knew through the bond of their minds that Ravi had considered E’rian to be a rare example of untainted joy and beauty in the world, and the Shimat had taken that away.
The horrible dungeon scene played again in Ravi’s mind, and he shuddered anew at what his beloved friend had experienced. Slowly, the tears on his face began to dry as the magnitude of what he had seen dawned in his thoughts.
E’rian had been pregnant when she disappeared, which meant that what Ravi had just witnessed occurred shortly thereafter.
That had been fifteen years ago.
“She is alive,” he breathed. “Ma’eve is alive.”
The decision was upon him, and Ravi knew it. He was being given the opportunity to set out on a greater path that would define his entire life. Ravi knew deep down that the path would be difficult and that he would be required to sacrifice much along the way.
A vision of the two paths opened before his eyes, and he saw the teenage form of E’rian’s daughter. She stood amidst peril, and the road to her was dangerous. Ravi could not see details of the threats that stood on that path, but they were symbolized by a menacing darkness. The other path open to the young Rashad was clear and gentle, leading to a life that was safe and predictable.
Which path would he choose?
It had seemed a simple answer less than an hour ago. Did he not crave a greater meaning in his life? However, now that he was faced with the decision, he found himself strangely hesitant.
The lithe figure of Ma’eve reached out to him, and he suddenly knew his decision. She was sad and lost and alone. Ravi knew that she was meant for something more than what was immediately apparent. She needed to be shown her true purpose in life.
As soon as the choice was made, Ravi felt a strong emotional connection to the girl he had never met. He felt a profound conviction that he would do anything for her—he would give his life for her.
He was now her guardian.
The vision before his eyes closed, and he found himself staring at the moonlit grasslands of his home. He said a silent farewell to the familiar sight, and began to run.
Ravi would say goodbye to his family and to Remah, and then he would begin his journey. He did not know where to find Ma’eve, but he would not stop searching until he found her.
Chapter Forty-two: Training
Adesina opened her eyes and looked around in confusion.
She was sitting in the Henka caverns, and it took her a moment to recall how she had gotten there. Her body was stiff and her bottom ached from sitting on the hard stone for so long.
She was uncertain how much time had passed, but it seemed reasonable that it had been several hours since she and Ravi had begun their mind bonding.
Adesina had witnessed Ravi’s entire life—all of his thoughts and emotions as well as the events. She knew every small detail about her guardian, and she loved him all the more for it.
The connection between their minds was still open, and Adesina discovered that she could not close it.
“Ravi?”
He already knew what she was thinking. “It cannot be closed, Ma’eve. Our minds will be forever linked. It must be the first stage of developing our Joining.”
It was quite disorienting for both of them. It was as if they both had two minds—or, rather, that they shared two minds equally. Adesina had her own thoughts and actions, but she was also constantly aware of Ravi’s thoughts. She knew what he knew, she felt what he felt, and she thought what he thought—all simultaneous to her own mind.
“Fascinating,” commented Ravi. “I have never experienced anything quite like this before.”
“Nor have I,” agreed Adesina. “I must say, it makes me slightly uneasy.”
It was unnecessary for her to say so, because she knew that Ravi could feel her emotions as easily as his own.
“You fear what this means for our independence,” he stated.
“Yes. Are we no longer individuals?”
The Rashad frowned thoughtfully. “I am not sure. Perhaps we can try an experiment.”
Adesina, of course, knew what he was thinking. “I shall do something that you do not wish me to do, and we shall see if your desires override mine.”
“Precisely.”
The young queen cast her eyes about the room and spotted a slight ledge that jutted out from the wall. It was a good distance from the ground, and climbing to it would be dangerous.
Ravi growled. “Do not be foolish, Ma’eve. You do not need to break your neck just to make a point.”
Adesina was momentarily frozen with indecision. Ravi’s desire for her to stay safely on the ground was clear and strong. It was as if her own mind was telling her that it was a needless risk.
“I will do it anyway,” she declared stubbornl
y.
It was not the first time she had done something against her better judgment. The only difference this time was that it was also against Ravi’s better judgment.
She walked over to the wall and searched for a handhold. It was difficult for her to get a firm grip, but she managed to pull herself up off of the floor. Her hands ranged over the rock, feeling for the next ridge that would hold her weight.
Adesina could sense Ravi approach, and she could almost see what he saw. There was a good grip just out of her reach, but if pushed up more with her legs…
Ravi experienced a stab of anxiety, but Adesina managed to grab the handhold.
“Interesting,” she muttered, trying to preserve her breath.
“Ma’eve, you have proven your point,” Ravi said in a strained tone. “Now please come back down and tell me what you find interesting.”
That caught her attention.
“You do not know?”
“I am a little distracted,” he replied tersely.
She climbed back down to the ground and felt Ravi’s immediate relief.
“Well,” she said, “I think we have discovered two important points of our Joining. First of all, with the correct amount of focus, I can see what you see. It is not a clear picture, but enough that I can make use of it.”
Her guardian’s eyes narrowed thoughtfully. “Hmmmm, I wonder if that can be developed.”
“Second,” she continued, “you do not automatically know my thoughts. You can still shut them out or override them with thoughts of your own.”
Ravi added, “We have also learned that we are still individuals with independent decision-making skills.”
“I am relieved that is the case,” admitted Adesina, and she knew that Ravi felt the same.
“There is something else that I noticed.” Ravi settled back on his haunches. “I could sense the strain of your arms as you climbed. If it is possible for me to share in your physical exertion, it might also be possible for us to share physical strength.”
Adesina grinned with excitement. “Shall we explore the possibilities?”
Ravi’s returning smile reflected her enthusiasm.
“Yes, I think we should.”
***
Three days had passed since Adesina and Ravi had begun their training, and the young queen was finally feeling like they were making some progress.
The resources of the empty cavern were limited, and so their training was hindered. Normally such circumstances would have left Adesina feeling frustrated, but the sand storms left them with little else to do with their time.
Early in the morning on the fourth day, the L’avan and her guardian pushed aside the curtain to their sleeping quarters and saw Kendan standing in the tunnel outside. His expression was expectant, as if he had been waiting for them.
“Good morning, Adesina. Good morning, Ravi.”
“Good morning,” they responded.
“Would you come with me, please? I have something to show you.”
Kendan led them through the residential section of the settlement and then up a set of stairs. The sound of the storms grew louder, and Adesina exchanged a confused glance with her Rashad companion.
The top of the stairs opened to a large area that looked almost like an obstacle course that had been carved from the rocks. Sturdy sheets of canvas covered the openings that led to the outside world, and the wind could be heard howling loudly. Even with the coverings, the air of the room seemed hazy with dust. Adesina’s throat began to feel dry from breathing it in.
“This is where the Henka warriors are trained,” explained Kendan. “It is not used during the storms, due to the unceasing noise and the dusty air. If you wore something to cover your mouth, though, it would be a valuable place for you to continue your training.”
“How do you know we have been training?” Adesina asked cautiously.
Kendan raised an eyebrow at her. “I am not blind, Adesina. You have spent the last day and a half running in circles and attempting to climb walls. This area will allow you to be more effective in…whatever you are doing.”
She knew he was right. Adesina looked over the area with interest and took note of the new possibilities.
It seemed that the Henka focused quite a bit on developing agility. There were a number of exercises that focused on jumping, climbing, and fast footwork. There was also a small maze that could be used in teaching stealth techniques, as well as how to avoid being caught by surprise.
“This is perfect,” Adesina declared with a smile.
Kendan grinned. “I thought you would like it. There is one more thing I would like to offer to you.”
“Oh?”
He placed a hand on his chest. “My services as a training instructor.”
Adesina stared at him with wide eyes. “What?”
“I have quite a bit of experience, as you know. I would be a valuable asset to you in this matter.”
Ravi frowned slightly. “You do not know the purpose of our training. How can you help if you do not know such essential information?”
Kendan’s self-assured expression faltered. “That would make it more difficult, certainly. I would not wish to force your confidence in the matter, but I might still be of assistance. There are basic principles that are useful in almost any situation.”
Adesina glanced at her guardian.
You do not wish to tell him about our Joining.
You hesitate as well.
It might be wise to wait to tell anyone.
I agree.
The exchange took a fraction of a second.
“I told you that I trust you, Kendan, and I do. However, there are things that I cannot tell you right now.”
It was clear by the look on his face that he was disappointed, but he responded without hesitation. “I understand.”
“Would you still be willing to help us train?”
“Of course,” he replied. “After all, it is the Shimat way to only reveal what is necessary to one’s subordinates.”
His comment stung Adesina.
“It was not my intention to imitate Shimat practices,” she said slowly.
He shrugged. “It may not have been your intention, but it is not easy to suppress a lifetime of teachings.”
“Difficult,” asserted Ravi, “but not impossible. That is something you would do well to remember in days to come.”
Adesina was ever-present in Ravi’s mind, and she could see the flash of a vision that passed before the Rashad’s eyes. The vision showed Kendan standing before an open door with Signe barring the way.
The young queen was not certain if it was a literal representation or a symbolic one, but she suddenly feared for her former teacher.
Kendan noticed the change in Adesina’s expression, and his brow wrinkled in contemplation. After a few moments, he cleared his throat. “Shall we begin?”
They started with a series of basic exercises—running up inclines, climbing over obstacles, and zigzagging between barriers. Ravi stood at a vantage point to oversee the upcoming challenges, which gave Adesina a rough idea of what to expect before she saw them herself. Ravi also fed his strength into Adesina, which extended her stamina.
Adesina’s memories of training with Kendan had become softened over the years, but he was quick to remind her of his ruthless pace and unforgiving standard of perfection.
“Sloppy,” he snapped. “Do it again.”
Even with Ravi’s supporting strength, the young queen found herself breathing heavily. “I have not had formal training for seven years, Kendan.”
“Is that going to be your excuse for everything?” he sneered.
She felt her temper begin to warm at his goading. “No,” she replied in a tightly controlled tone, “but it will take time for me to reach my former abilities.”
“Time is wasted if you are not giving your best,” was his only response. “Do it again.”
Adesina grew increasingly frustrated and angry. It was o
nly Ravi’s constant soothing in her mind that kept her from lashing out at her former Shar.
His methods are harsh, but we are making progress.
Are we?
Yes, dear one. Our control over how much strength and vision that we share is growing more refined. When we began this training, your physical exertion was an automatic drain on my strength. Now we can control the flow.
She had to admit that it was true. Their shared vision was not perfect, but it was not nearly as blurry as it had been in the beginning. They were also learning to regain a measure of privacy from each other, if they wished to shield their thoughts.
“Again,” Kendan shouted.
I might throw a rock at his head…
Adesina felt Ravi’s amusement, which didn’t help her mood.
She sprinted forward and vaulted over the series of small rock formations scattered across the room. Ravi’s watchful eye helped her to measure each block so that no energy was wasted by jumping too high or too far.
When that was finished, Kendan sent her into a rock maze to see how quickly she could solve it. At first, Adesina was confused by the change of focus in the training. It wasn’t until she got a flash of Ravi’s perspective that she understood.
Hidden in a dark crevice, Kendan waited for her to come around a corner. He held a rod about a meter long, and his arm was raised to strike.
Under normal circumstance, there would have been no way for Adesina to anticipate the attack. However, these were not normal circumstances.
The young L’avan whipped around the corner and grabbed Kendan’s arm, throwing him off balance and bringing him to his knees.
The expression of shock on his face made her want to chuckle.
“How…?”
She helped him back on his feet and gave a cocky grin. “Why not see if you can figure that out?”
Kendan’s dark eyes gleamed, and he accepted the challenge with a single nod.
Chapter Forty-three: The Final Piece
